Nut-lock



(No Model.)

0. B. CRAGIN.

NUT LOOK.

Patented Apr. 29. 1884.

C'itaarzcqy 3 6712 9572,

N. FETERi Photolithognphen Wt hingnn. D C h v UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CHAUNGEY B. ORAGIN, OF ADA, MINNESOTA.

NUT-LOCK.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 297,678, dated April 29, 1884-.

* Application filed January 19, 1884. (No model.)

'To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, CHAUNGEY B. CRAGIN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Ada, in the county of Norman and State of Minnesota, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Nut-Locks, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying draw mgs.

i.) My invention .relates to an improvement in nut-locks, the object being to provide a lock ing device which will be rendered more secure by any movement of the nut in unscrewmg.

The invention consists in abolt having a transverse slot near its threaded end and outside of the nut, and a peculiar key having projections at its ends adapted to fit within such slot; also, in combining with the bolt,

nut, and key so constructed a -spring interposed between the nut and the fish-plate,so that it will yield sufficiently to allow a slight forward movement of the nut whenthe key is to be removed; and these features will be more fully hereinafter described.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is alongitudinal section of a bolt, showing a rail and fish-plate in cross-section. Fig. 2 is a separate view of the key. Fig. 3 shows a modified form of nut and key. Fig. 4 is another modification of the key. Fig. 5 is a plan view of the spring.

A represents a rail, and B a fish-plate, of ordinary construction. G is abolt threaded at one end, and having near such end a transverse slot, at.

D is the nut screwed up against the fishplate, the slot at being wholly exterior to such nut. x

0 E represents the locking-key, of which a separate view is shown in Fig. 2. This key is a small piece of iron or steel of approximately the same length as the diameter of the nut. I At each end of the-key is a projec- 5 tion at right angles to'tlie direction of its length. The projection b is of such length that it will just pass through the slot a, while the projectionc is considerably longer, and extendssome distance beyond the edge of the slot. The sides of the key and slot are parallel.

It is'clear that when the parts are in position the tendency of the nut to unscrew will cause it to bear firmly against the key, forcing the latter outward, so that both projec tions b and c overlap the edge of the slot, making it impossible to withdraw the key. This pressure is increased by the insertion of a stiff spring, d, between the nut and fishplate, which tends to throw the nut outward, and bears firmly on the fish-plate. Thespring may be made of a ring of steel split at one point, and having one or both ends slightly turned from the plane of the circle. It is, however, not absolutely essential that this spring be'employed, though I prefer to use it.

I have shown in Fig. 3 a modified form of nut and key. Here the projections bcextend in opposite directions, and the nut is provided with a circular flange, f, on its face,into which one of the projections sets, the other overlap-j ping the outer edge of the slot.

, In Fig. 4 the keyis shown as ofa double T shape, the heads being j ustlong enough to pass through the slot. A quarter-turn is given the key, so that the heads extend transversely across the slot, and the nut bears upon one of the flat sides of v the key. In all these modifications the spring may be used, if thought preferable. So

The operation of the device needs no lengthened description. The nut is screwed on and the key inserted in the slot. Any loosening of the nut results in tightening the key, and such key can only be removed by'screwing the nut inward against the yielding pressure of the spring the slight distance necessary to permit of its withdrawal. In looking the nut after the key is inserted, the nut is turned back on the bolt, so that it bears firmly in .the 0 first instance upon the face of the key.

Having described-my invention, 1 claim-'- 1. The combination, with a slotted bolt and its nut, of a transverse key having a projection at right angles at each end, substantially 5 as and for the purposes set forth.

2. The combination, with the slotted bolt and the fish-plate, or other structure through which such bolt passes, of the key having outwardly 4 extending projections arranged to 10c overlap the edges of the slot, and the spring interposedbetween the fish-plate and the nut, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

GHAUNOEY B. ORAGIN. 

